Movies in the Park expands to FIVE showings this year

The community is invited to take over the Sunken Gardens five Saturdays this August and September to watch popular movies. Unlike past years, this summer’s lineup includes a fifth showing thanks to sponsors: Twin Cities Community Hospital, Perry’s Parcel & Gifts, Thrive Gymnastics and Parkour and Idler’s Home. “We’re able to offer five movies,” city of Atascadero Recreation Supervisor Jennifer Fanning said. All of the movies are free and open to the public. The showing will start at approximately 8:15 p.m., when the sun has set enough for the movie to be seen on the inflatable screen placed in front of city hall. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church has been operating the concession stand for the last several years and will continue to do so this summer. Paradise Shaved Ice will also be at the first two showings in August. Fanning said there are able 500 people in attendance each week. “For Star Wars, we typically get a little more,” Fanning said. The movies are selected based on popularity and the company that the city orders the movies through gives recommendations on what show. This year’s line-up: Aug. 4: Coco (PG) Aug. 11: Black Panther (PG-13) Aug. 25: Paddington 2 (PG) Sept. 1: Star Wars: Last Jedi (PG-13) Sept. 8: Wonder (PG) While most of the movies are PG, Fanning said they did choose a couple PG-13 movies. “Star Wars has a good following,” she said. “This is the third or fourth year we’ve shown [a] Star Wars [film].” Fanning recommends showing up at 7 or 7:30 p.m. with blankets or low-back chairs to get a good place to sit. “[The sponsors] are the ones that make it happen,” she said. For more info, go to atascadero.org or call 805-470-3360.